Sunday, December 7, 2008

What a Beautiful Sight

Although Thanksgiving has come and gone, I just wanted to say how thankful I am to live in such a wonderful place. Amazing sunsets and saltwater make for such a wonderful combination, and I feel truly blessed to be able to see such an amazing sight!


Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Client Galleries

Please visit the client galleries for more photos


http://www.amberwillis.com/

Contact Me

Please follow the link below and fill out the form to contact me.

Photo Session Information

Contact me for Availability & Pricing


Please be sure to include 'Inquiring about Photo Session' in the subject line so your email does not get filtered to my junk mail.


Session Details
A typical session will last between one to two hours and will take place at an agreed upon location. I am open to new locations, so please let me know if you have a specific spot in mind. Also note that due to certain weather conditions your session may have to be rescheduled.


Client Proofing
I will provide you with a link to your online gallery approximately 2 weeks after your session. The gallery will be available for 3 weeks after posting upon which your order should be placed.


About Me

I am a wife to an amazing husband, daughter to the best parents ever, sister to the world's most amazing sister, friend to many and along with many others an aspiring photographer. I have always enjoyed taking photos, and in late 2008 I decided to start learning more about the art than just point and click. I have found that taking photos for friends and loved ones has been more rewarding that I ever imagined. The joys of continuously learning allow my mind to grow and the more I learn the more I strive to be the best. Other than photography and all things related, I enjoy the following things: snowboarding with my husband even though he is better than me, going out in the boat with family, spending time with friends especially since I don't have the chance to do so as often as I would like, cheerleading and all things related, and wedding or event planning.

I'm glad that you have stopped by to see what's been going on with me. Feel free to look around and if you like what you see please leave a comment (they are always nice to see) or contact me using the contact link at the top of the page.

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you'll visit often.

Why Does Custom Photography Cost More?

I often wondered this same question as I started getting involved with photography. I am by no means a professional photographer, but I truly enjoy what I do and it didn't take long to realize that there is so much more involved than just point, shoot, and print. A lot of time is spent learning basic photography techniques as well as learning all you can about how to operate your camera. I wanted to share this great article from ProfessionalChildPhotographer.Com to help those you have always wondered and never wanted to ask. Enjoy... Amber



What Does Custom Photography Cost More?

Digital technology is brilliant. The digital revolution has brought amazing flexibility and amazing amounts of control for the photographer, the hobbyist, the professional, the amateur. With flexibility comes a price though. Camera equipment is still considerably more expensive when you factor in its’ lifespan, the need for additional resources for processing those images, the time it takes to get a usable image and the effort that goes into all of this.

Even though you pay $1.99 for a print at your local drugstore and paying for film is pretty much a thing of the past (although you still pay for memory) you may be wondering why you may pay upwards of $40, 50, 70, 90 for a custom photography print. Some photographers hear this statement every once in awhile:

“How in the world can you charge $60 for an 8×10 if it costs me less than $2 to print at the local drug store?”

The answer is multifaceted and has a lot to do with the time, aforementioned equipment costs, artistic vision and reputation of the photographer, expertise and the usual costs of running a legitimate business.

TIME of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Approaching it from a time standpoint, for instance let’s imagine if you will that you have hired a photographer who has work that you love and that is travelling an hour to your on location session. TIme break down:

session prep time (30 mins – 1 hour, includes equipment and back up equipment checks + vehicle checks)
one hour travel time TO session
15-30 minutes prep time at client’s home
90 minutes-2 hours with client photographing subject
one hour travel time FROM session
30-45 minutes uploading time from digital cards from camera to computer
30-45 minutes time spent backing up the original images
2-5 hours editing time to present you with a diverse gallery of edited images
1 hour prep time getting ready for ordering
2-3 hours time with client for ordering images
1 hour sorting through and checking order
30 minutes-1 hour prep time for delivery
30 minutes-1 hour getting order shipped
any additional phone time or time needed for add on ordering, shipment issues, quality issues
As you can see, average client time for a session ranges from just under 13 hours to 19 hours dependent on the photographer’s level of service. This is time dedicated only to your session. When the photographer charges $150-$300 for the photo shoot you are not just paying for the two hours of session time, you are paying the photographer for 12-19 hours complete time for your session.

COSTS of the CUSTOM PHOTOGRAPHER:

Regarding equipment costs, a good quality professional camera with a selection of good optical quality lenses and digital storage mediums and computer set up can run from $10,000-$30,000 costs dependent on the photographer. Even though you can purchase a really good quality digital SLR for about $2100 there are still other costs related to photography. A good lens for portrait photography can run up $900 to $2500. A dependable computer system with software loaded for business and creative usage can run $2500 to $8000 dependent on the photographer.

Then come lab costs for specialty products. A good photographer knows the lab is integral to their success. Photography labs dedicated to the professional photographer often cost more and offer a range of products that allows the custom photographer to continually offer new, innovative products for you, the discerning client.

Discussion other costs of running a photography business could take awhile so we’ll skip the intricate details. There is of course much more: including costs of running the business, taxes, studio rental/mortgage if the photographer has ownership of a dedicated studio, vehicular costs, costs of advertising/marketing, costs of sample pieces that the photographer will likely bring to your session, etc.

APPLES to ORANGES:

Often times clients will mention to their photographer that X studio in the mall/department store only charges $25 for an 8×10 or they may mention other things related to discount photography chains. The fact is those discount chains make their money on volume, not on customized 1:1 service. According to several articles at the time, did you know that in February 2007 a rather well known discount department store that started in Arkansas closed down 500 of their portrait studios across the nation? The reason is simple, you cannot make money on 99¢ “professional” prints if you do not sell enough of them. Interestingly enough – those same studios that offer the loss leader packages often charge much much more for their a la carte pricing (as high as $40-50 for an 8×10). The whole reason the big department stores began offering portrait studios in the first place was to get you, the savvy consumer, in through their door so that you could spend more money with them in other departments. Your “PORTRAITS” are considered the true “loss leader”.

Going to a chain studio, as a consumer, you don’t have the benefit of 1:1 attention for 2 hours at your home where your child is allowed to explore, play and be comfortable in their home environment, nor do you get the experience that many custom photographers are known for or the lovely captures of natural expressions. You simply get a bare bones, “SAY CHEESE” experience. Keep this in mind when selecting a photographer.

REPUTATION/EXPERTISE of the PHOTOGRAPHER:

Being in demand, being well known for quality work, having a good reputation often costs time on the photographer’s part. Their expertise comes at a cost, their time learning their craft and learning the intricacies of lighting and the commitment put forth on their end to create a persona about their business that oozes professionalism. A great number of photographers go a very long time from the time that they purchase their first good camera to making money at the business of photography. Many photographers, when first starting out, rush in thinking that the business will be easily profitable in no time, how expensive could it be to get a camera and use it to create their dream? They often neglect to factor in the cost of business, the cost of equipment, software, back ups, etc..

Being of sound reputation, a better professional photographer knows that they must always reinvest in their business to create the reputation of being top notch. To create good work good equipment, reliable equipment, back up equipment is a necessity. The photographer who desires to be known as better/best/unparalelled reputation-wise knows that the most important thing they can do for their business is reliability and dependability. This is how reputations get built. Good work often is a wonderful side product of building that good reputation.

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